Stephen VanWinkle became the new chief of the Miami University Police Department, Aug. 1, succeeding John McCandless who recently retired.

VanWinkle has been captain and operations commander of the university police for six years and a member of the department for 22 years. 

According to the university, VanWinkle supervised or helped develop several programs within the department, including its first K-9 bomb unit, university/city joint special response team, and the department’s International Police Mountain Bike Association-certified bicycle patrol.

“As the times change, police departments should also change to reflect the needs of the community,” he said in a press release.